Journal of Medical Entomology (2021) 58, 372-378

Roxie L. White, Christopher J. Geden and Phillip E. Kaufman (2021)
Exposure timing and method affect Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) efficacy against house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) larvae
Journal of Medical Entomology 58 (1), 372-378
Abstract: House flies, Musca domestica L., are widely recognized for their ability to develop resistance to chemical insecticides so alternative control strategies are desired. The use of entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin to manage house fly populations has shown promising results; however, the success of using this fungus against larval house flies varies widely. The overall objective of this study was to examine factors that may influence efficacy of B. bassiana treatments against larvae. When a high concentration (4 × 10¹¹ conidia/ml) was applied to first- and second-instar larvae in rearing medium, there was a significant reduction in pupation and adult emergence rates. Treating third-instar larvae at the same concentration did not result in a significant reduction of pupation or adult emergence. Temperature (22 versus 32°C) and media composition (diets with- and without propionic acid) did not affect the B. bassiana treatment efficacy against house fly larvae. The narrow time window of vulnerability of larvae and the high doses required to infect them indicate that B. bassiana has little potential as an operational biocontrol agent for house fly larvae.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Phillip E. Kaufman

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Musca domestica
Beauveria bassiana (entomopathogen)	Musca domestica